Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?

Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?

Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000 character limit?

We are here to help

I have written several times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. In fact, the personal statement is the single most important aspect of your entire application.

It's your chance to shine; it is what differentiates you from the pack. This is your time to express yourself, to show your creativity, your skills, background and make a memorable impression in a matter of seconds.

This will be your only chance, so it is imperative that you get it right the first time.

For some time now I have been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.

A place where PA school applicants can post brilliant works of imaginative literature and receive honest, constructive feedback... as well as an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!

I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.

To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers and editors that worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.

Sue Edmondson is an award-winning freelance writer who has written in Northern Nevada and Northern California since 1999. Her articles have appeared in magazines such as Edible Reno-Tahoe, Reno Magazine, reno.com, Enjoy, Family Pulse and RLife, and the Reno Gazette Journal and Mountain Echo newspapers. She dabbles in fiction, has sold several children’s short stories and was awarded first place for short fiction by the Reno News and Review. Edmondson is the co-author of “How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement,” for which she interviewed Admissions Directors and faculty from top physician assistant programs across the country. Her other career is as an attorney and judicial officer. After spending several years practicing family law, she spent the next 19 years at the District Attorney’s Office before serving as a family court master for eight years.

See what Sue has to say about working with PA applicants

I’m amazed by the varied experiences and life histories of our essay collaborative clients. Everyone has a special story. Some are set in exotic places (at least exotic to me, who has never traveled to Africa or Vietnam other than in my wildest dreams). Others happen on in the middle of Any City, USA.

The one thing every essay has in common is heart. By that, I mean a true expression of caring for their patients, their families, and friends. It’s clear that people who seek a career in the medical profession are in it for more than the money.

Most people who are excellent in the sciences are not particularly interested in writing (and vice-versa). If it were a passion, they’d be the editors and I’d be applying to PA school. But just as I’ve learned the mechanics of a robotic knee replacement for an article, science-minded folks can learn to tell a story on paper. It’s a matter of someone taking the time to explain how and walk them through the process step-by-step.

One other thing I’ve realized from reading essays–people who apply to PA school are determined, courageous, focused and up for a challenge. That’s why I edit without fear that someone will be intimidated by the suggestions I make.

I hope that the people who provide my medical care will have the dedication of those I’ve had the pleasure of “meeting” through their essays.

– Sue Edmondson – editor in chief

Testimonials:

“I am two for two so far with interview invites even at a top program in the country. This is my second cycle. My first cycle had no interview invites with 11 applications submitted. Your service with just these interviews so far is easily worth the price. Thank you!” Mary Arellano, Pre-PA

“I am very pleased with the services provided! I received an email almost immediately upon submitting my essay for review, and within 24 hours my essay review was completed. I would definitely recommend this service to any PA school applicant before they submit their essay to CASPA!” – Jessie Wallen, F Pre-PA

“The comments and edits made by Sue are exceptional! They’ve helped a lot in terms of helping me express my thoughts more clearly and effectively. It felt as if she was there with me, reading my thoughts and helping me with the entire process in person!” Jennifer Simmons, Pre-PA

“Sue was a huge help with my essay. Her edits made my essay sound much better grammatically and she pointed out some content problems I completely missed. She prompted me to write a few more paragraphs before her edit and added the information to my essay. That made a big difference. She is very knowledgeable about what PA programs were looking for. I am really happy with your service. Worth every penny, THANKS!” Josephine Peters, Pre-PA

“Sue was absolutely amazing. She had responded to me the day after I submitted my essay for review to inform me that she had received my essay and to ask a few questions. I had responded to her a few hours later, and she immediately responded to inform me my essay would be ready the next day with her suggestions and edits. With this being said less than 24 hours later, Sue emailed me an edited essay, comments and explanations about her edits, and a clean copy of my essay. I was amazed and extremely satisfied with Sue’s timeliness and with how helpful she was. I could not be happier, and I thank Sue so much for her time and efforts. I would recommend this service (and Sue in particular) to anyone applying to PA school that needs a little help with their PA statement.” Sharron Hardin, Pre-PA

Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Carly

“I am mind-blown by my editor Carly’s work. My original essay is like an ill-fitting suit. She hemmed and adjusted it in all the right places and now it looks perfect. I don’t think I’m a bad writer, but I don’t write often and I have spent the past 10 years of my life focused on health sciences. I may have never been able to do this on my own. Thank you, thank you, I consider this essay service a bargain.” – Andy, PA-S

“Carly’s edit was absolutely fantastic. When we began, my personal statement was mostly complete in content, but the flow was choppy, and there was some awkward phrasing. Her first edit transformed my essay into a smooth, compellingly clear piece of work, and I am very proud of it.” – Steven Montague, Pre-PA

“Carly was fantastic and provided excellent comments and revisions. The turnover was less than 24 hours which is amazing. Thank you so much, you conveyed what I was trying to say but couldn’t find the words to do so!” – Andrew, Pre-PA

“Carly did an amazing job of strengthening my essay while still keeping it mine. All of her advice was clear and left me with enough guidance to feel confident I could further edit/add to it on my own.” – Ariella, Pre-PA

Sarah Schultz honed her writing and editing skills as a professional grant writer for nonprofit healthcare and education organizations. A true word nerd, she holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature from Murray State University, where she was a Jesse Stuart Fellow. She is the author of seven comedic plays and her first novel will be published in 2018.

Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with Sarah

“Sarah is phenomenal! I can tell she spent a great deal of time working on my essay because the edits are above and beyond. Would recommend her and this service to everyone!” – Danielle, Pre-PA

“Sarah did such an excellent job editing my personal statement that I wanted her expertise for my supplemental essays. I’ve had multiple interviews invites so far. I’m so glad I used this service, and I’m so glad I had Sarah’s help! She really took my essays to a whole new level and had good suggestions. I’m recommending her to my peers.” – Emily Crenshaw, Pre-PA

“Sarah is awesome! I am so glad I made the decision to have my essay edited with this service. Money well spent! She made my essay flawless and gave me more confidence in my essay. Thank you so much!” – Annabelle, Pre-PA

“Sarah was the best thing to happen to my personal statement. I write pretty well but after her polishing method, all my ideas flowed a lot smoother. She was very accommodating to all my suggestions and was prompt in her responses. I will most definitely recommend my friends to take advantage of this service as well as request Sarah for their needs.” – Saumil Shah, Pre-PA

“Sarah is simply nothing short of amazing. Her ability to distill the important thoughts and themes from the given drafts is a gift. Also her knowledge of the application process, how to time/pace the essay and editing skills are invaluable. Thank you so much!” Taylor Phillips, Pre-PA

“Finding the right words for reviewing Sarah being assigned to my one-on-one editing service is quite a challenging task. Simply, since Sarah goes above and beyond her job. She has been the best help that could have been sent my way during the hardest part of the application process. Before I start about how she helped with my essay, I would like to say a few things about Sarah. She is a gem of a human. There are some people you don’t meet or need to meet, to sense that they are truly caring humans. Sarah really has been a coach throughout this process. She didn’t treat me like a business and understood how important this is to me. I must admit that while purchasing this service I thought I would be just another essay to edit. I thought I would have to beg to get my questions answered or constantly email to get my stuff back in before the deadline. I was so wrong! I wasn’t treated like just another number in the pile of essays to edit, I was really given the personal editing service and a whole lot of words of encouragement in between. There was never a time when Sarah didn’t say words of positivity to me. She understood how much I’m struggling to put the pieces of my essay, which made sense in my head, on paper. I have visited a lot of pa program open house sessions and every single one stressed the importance of a good personal statement. I guess that is why I was so stressed about the statement because I knew it played just as much of a factor with my GPA, hours and GRE. I wanted to show why I want to be a PA, that I really love caring for people and I wanted to present my unique story in a way that makes sense. Keeping those things in mind, I came to Sarah with not even a complete draft. She helped me from beginning to end. She did whatever she could, whether those be emails or extra phone sessions, to ensure I could write exactly what I wanted to say. I cannot even imagine what I would have written without Sarah’s help. I was mentioning to Sarah that in addition to my healthcare experience, I have marine biology research experience and was going to mention that in my essay. I was going to relate my dissections on marine animals to my desire to be a PA. Now that would have been a fishy situation for anyone comprehending my dedication to being a PA. Thankfully, with Sarah’s help, I only wrote about my surgical patient care experiences and not the ones of the sea, haha! I bought this service three weeks before the deadline, in a desperate attempt of seeking help. I wish I could go back in time and seek this help sooner and tell myself that I don’t have to be stuck all alone in this. In three weeks, Sarah took what wasn’t even a draft and helped me turn it into an essay that I know speaks volume of my desire to be a future PA. Never once was I ever rushed and I turned in everything before the deadline. Seeing the result of my personal statement, it was no doubt to me that I would be working with Sarah for my supplemental essays. To me Sarah is the real one saving lives here, she’s helping people like me get into PA school. Best writing coach I ever had!” – Sabura Aleem, Pre-PA

I wanted to reach out and thank you for your help with my personal statement. I received compliments about my essay at every interview I had. I also wanted to let you know that I will be attending Duke's PA Program - my top choice. Your help was amazing! Thank you so much again!

I just wanted to reach out an let you that I actually got into PA school this year! Out of the 10 programs I applied to, four offered me interviews. The first interview wound up being my top choice and they offered me a spot. I accept and declined all my other interviews. So I am absolutely overjoyed! I wanted to let you know though. Your editing and help, no doubt, helped me get through the initial phase. Thank you so much! I am truly grateful.

I just wanted to let you know I interviewed and got accepted to my top choice!! Thank you so much for your help with my essay this cycle, it obviously made a huge difference and I am so excited to start this journey. You do a great service and I am so grateful for it!

I cannot even believe it but they just called me with the acceptance offer to the * program!!! First of all, I would like to thank you for helping me along my journey!! I could not have done this without your help!

I just got accepted to one of my top three school choices!

This is money well spent because not only did I receive an interview from my top choice of Pace University, but I was just accepted into their program!

Just thought I would give you a quick update. I was accepted at * and *. I still have another interview coming up, so not certain just yet where I will be going. The good news is, I AM GOING SOMEWHERE!!!!!! Thank you again for all your help!

Hello, I wanted to let you know how this application season was going for me so far. I’ve had two interviews, still have at least three more scheduled, and I received my first acceptance last week. Thank you again for your help!

Hello, I just wanted to inform you that I got into * Pa program! I will be starting in January. Thanks so much for your help with my essay. Definitely, money well spent.

I am so grateful I found The PA Life during my application process. Our collaboration allowed my personal essay to shine and truly exemplify my motivation, inspiration, and experiences that have paved my pathway and passion for becoming a PA. I highly recommend this service. In a sea of applications, it is crucial your essay stands out, Duke will accomplish this! I have received numerous interviews and several acceptances!

Wanted to let you know that I just got accepted into my 1st choice PA program. Thank you so much for your help with my essay. I’m sure it made my application stronger and helped me secure one of the seats!

We Work as a Team

Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000 character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.

Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.

I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.

To collaborate, we use Google Drive. Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly and compare, revise or restore revisions on the fly. Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!

Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment and we have had great success.

The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

I finally have fantastic news. So first of all, in total, I was offered 13 interviews. I was just offered a seat at Nova Orlando! I am finally going to be a PA and a big part of that was from all of your help with my personal statement. So thank you very much for helping me succeed during this round.Jennifer. PA-S

I wanted to give a brief update: I have had 4 interviews, 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, and waiting on one more. Right now, I have a deposit down at Univ. of Texas Medical Branch. Thanks for all your help. It really did make a difference, and I was even complimented on my narrative during a few interviews.Andrew S. PA-S

I am extremely pleased with this service. It is precisely the kind of constructive criticism I was hoping to receive. I had my essay reviewed by "myparesources" and was not very satisfied with their general comments. Sue put a lot of time and effort and gave me concrete examples of how to change my essay for the better. I WILL recommend this service over all others. Thank you so much!Joe. Pre-PA

Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service

The Personal Statement Review Service is:

Completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.

Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level. It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want 100’s of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive. This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.

We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below

We will provide feedback, advice and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.

We will help with a “final touch up” before the big day just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.

Why Choose Our Service?

It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.

We are a team of PAs and professional writers having worked over seven years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.

Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.

Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.

Our goal is not quantity, but quality.We want only serious applicants, who are serious about getting into PA school.

Writing is not a tool like a piece of software, but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize and personalize an essay.

As Antoinette Bosco once said:

Time isn’t a commodity, something you pass around like a cake. Time is the substance of life. When anyone asks you to give your time, they’re really asking for a chunk of your life.

And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes me back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.

There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being, it’s just like providing health care. But, this takes time.

I've been telling everybody that I come into contact with about the incredible value of your service and that I directly attribute your editing as a reason I got into two schools this academic cycle and received 8 invitations to interview. All the best!Jeremy Cohen, PA-S

I just wanted to take the time to comment on the services I received from the PA Life. I was extremely stressed out about writing my personal statement and finally decided to search the internet for advice and assistance. I came across the personal statement editing service on the PA Life and decided to give it a try. I received a response within a day and my stress was instantly relieved. I worked personally with The PA Life to edit my statement, and they are phenomenal writers. They didn't change the content of my personal statement, but rather helped me tell my story in a way that is much more desirable! I cannot recommend this service enough to others seeking help on their personal statement. They are friendly, sincere, and definitely experienced! I felt 100% confident in their editing abilities, and we worked together the entire time so that we were both pleased with the results! Thanks again, for all of your help!Chelsie, K.

Free Personal Statement Review

Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique

We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.

You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.

Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay

We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays, or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.

Note: Comment Rules:Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff. Otherwise, have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content you do not deserve to go to PA school.

* Also, depending on the time of year it may take me several weeks to reply!

We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!

Your editing and suggestions helped me out immensely!!! I cannot thank you enough for spending extra time to help make my essay really stand out, but I can tell you that it helped me land an interview with every program that I applied to and I was accepted into my top choice PA program! Jared Shaw, PA-S

I just wanted to reach out to you and say thank you again. I was offered admissions to my number one school. Who knows if this could've been possible without your help in revising my personal statement. Ashley, PA-S

Awesome service! My editor did a great job editing my personal statement and his feedback was top-notch. For the 2018 cycle, I applied to one school. I was selected for an interview and yesterday I received an offer of admission which I quickly accepted. I know my personal statement played a huge role in my success. I highly recommend this service. Read more client testimonials. Nikki Reynolds, PA-S

I am writing this because I wanted to share with you that I have been accepted to the University of Iowa PA program. I would like to once again thank you for your insight and guidance while writing my personal statement, it came at just the right time.Eugene V.PA-S

I have recently been accepted to a program that was one of my top choices, and I also was waitlisted with two other schools. I wanted to thank you again for all your help. Not only am I grateful for your knowledge of writing and grammar (which were invaluable), but most importantly your kind words and motivation, which I needed so much at the time. You're a great person!Alex Taylor, PA-S

I worked closely with The PA Life for the revisions on my personal statement. They must have edited my original version half a dozen times before they felt it was good enough to send off and never made it seem like an inconvenience. They always responded to my emails within a 24-hour time frame but usually got back to me within a few hours. I am very pleased with how my personal statement turned out thanks to all of their time, ideas and direction. The service the PA Life provides is well worth the money spent!Michelle Murphy, Pre-PA

The PA Life helped me with my personal essay writing for PA school. My editor was very patient and helpful with me. I made lots of mistake in my essay, but with their help, I was able to write a sensible essay which was good enough to get Interview calls. I highly recommend his service.Rajni, Pre-PA

I am very happy with your service and would highly recommend it to any PA applicant. My editor helped me to put my thoughts in order and to make significant changes. My personal statement sounds great and seems easy and interesting to read now. The editors took a lot of time to explain their way of thinking and to understand what I was trying to say. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate what you are doing for others.Olga, Pre-PA

I was so glad that I chose to use the personal statement collaborative service. The PA Life turned it (my essay) from long, rambling, and scattered to a much more concise, well-written essay. I really feel as though it represents me well! They always responded quickly and I felt as though I got a lot of value for the money. Thank you! Jennifer, Pre-PA

I was extremely happy with this service and would recommend it to anyone applying for PA school! I am just waiting for the schools I applied to receive the final pieces of my applications. Thank you so much for your help! Hailey, Pre-PA

How to submit your essay for the paid service

If you are serious and would like to have real, focused and personalized help writing your personal statement please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.

After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions. We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.

Pricing is as follows:

One Time Edit: $135

The Personal Statement: One Time Edit

A one-time edit consists of so much more than a typical correction of grammar and spelling.

Not only do we correct those mistakes, we highlight issues such as the need for transitions and additional information, and identify awkward writing, flow or theme problems.

To ensure your essay shines, we will illustrate ways to address all these issues. We may also request additional information before editing to offer suggestions to make your essay complete.

You may add additional edits with our discounted rate of $30 per edit, or choose the one-on-one service that includes up to three thirty-minute phone consultations and real-time collaboration.

Our goal is to help you make your essay unique. We look forward to working with you.

1 On 1 Personal Statement Editing

One on one personal editing consists of a written edit and a series of personal discussions on the phone with our most experienced editors. We will be working on the essay you submit to us, you get up to three thirty-minute call’s, and we ask that you limit all submission to a maximum of 6,500 characters with spaces prior to sending your essay.

We will continue to edit your essay with you until we (you and the editor) believe your essay is polished enough to send to a PA school and give you a much better opportunity to get an interview. (Read the reviews by many of our previous clients.)

A one time edit is very helpful, but nothing works better than reviewing your essay many times and making tweaks to improve it.

Here are the steps we follow:

You will be assigned a professional editor.

We read your essay the first time and cross out unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences as well as make suggestions and comments.

We share the essay with you and have you rewrite it by following our suggestions and eliminating the crossed-out words, sentences, and phrases. The whole purpose is to get our first working copy. Google Docs keeps a history of everything we do so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your original essays.

We will set up a time to meet; we’ll call you on the phone, and work on the essay together using Google Docs. We examine your new working copy of your essay one paragraph at a time. Your input is welcome throughout this process. If we believe your essay is missing something, we will have you add it. Your answers make it possible for us to clarify items which may be vague or unclear to the PA essay readers and give us an opportunity to have you add to your essay if necessary. Our goal is always to make sure your essay remains yours and not ours.

You rewrite the essay one more time, and then we do the same thing all over again until we think your essay is good enough to get you an interview.

Our goal is to make your essay unique. We look forward to working with you.

**Our one-one-one editing is currently full through Sept 22, 2019. We are still accepting submission for one-time edits, resumes, and supplemental essays. Our turnaround time on one-time edits and supplemental essays is currently 2-4 days unless you choose the “expedited” option.

Supplemental Essay: $49

Supplemental applications are a gift to you as an applicant, and you should view them as an opportunity to showcase personal traits and life experiences that may have been omitted in your CASPA application.

Supplemental applications should not reflect anything in your CASPA application and nothing should be repeated from your personal narrative. If you start to deviate from the question as the paragraph continues, you are not answering the question.

Find out what you want to tell the admissions team because you usually only have 300-500 words to explain yourself, although schools some may have higher word maximums.

We offer one-of-a-kind supplemental essay editing and revision based on years of experience working with 100’s of PA school applicants like yourself.

We use a tiered pricing structure that is based on character and word count so that you pay only for what you need.

For supplemental essays, we use a tiered pricing structure

Choose your plan then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay and we will get started right away!

All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact stephen@thepalife.com if you have any questions, comments or problems - I am available 24/7.

Physician Assistant Life Personal Statement Collaborative

The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive, it is simple to add more time if necessary but you may be surprised on what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced rate add-on's to suit your individual needs.

Writing and Revision

All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.

When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.

What’s the difference?

Revision refers to substantial changing of text. For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.

Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

On all submissions, we perform both, revision and editing.

How to submit your essay for the FREE service

Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.

The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
What's the #1 one mistake that potential PAs and pre-physician assistant students make while drafting their PA school personal statement?
A failure to outline and plan!
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CASPA Personal Statement Help

Schedule a Live Recorded PA School Video Interview

We offer 45-minute mock PA school interviews with post-interview feedback and advice. Includes a recorded video of your interview that you can watch, download or share with family and friends. There is no better way to prepare!

About Stephen Pasquini PA-C

A PA since 2004 and creator of The PA Life Website. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and a graduate of The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA Program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one of a kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all and foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession. Read more about Stephen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

In my life I have tried several different career fields. While in college, I attempted to join the Army. I interned with the Roanoke City Police for a summer and worked in a restaurant. After college I applied to police departments and worked at a kennel. I even spent some time working as a security guard. Unfortunately, my medical paperwork for the Army delayed me to the point of defeat. I found that the police do not quite have the impact I wanted to have, and often were unable to spend time with their families. Working security and in restaurants was plenty of fun, but not fulfilling. I eventually got my EMT-B certification to try my hand at EMS. That is where I found what I was looking for- I was in the field. I was in the middle of the excitement, in a specialized field, and I got to make a real, physical impact on people’s lives. I found the job interesting and rewarding. After working for a private EMS company and volunteering with a rescue squad for a while, I realized that I needed to move up and move on. I didn’t want to leave healthcare, but I felt like I could do more if I was given more responsibility.

I began looking at career paths within medicine. The obvious ones that stood out to me were paramedic, med school, and nursing school. I began to lean away from the ambulance jobs. I had to do some clinical hours in the ER for my job and, obviously I had dropped off in the ER quite a bit. I realized that I enjoyed being in the ER more than being on the truck. Unfortunately, medics in the ER are not allowed to do much, and EMT-B’s do not get hired in the ER. That left me with nursing and doctor.

Ruling out nursing school as an option, was relatively easy. I know how I work- I know the roles in which I excel. During my time in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, I learned that the best place for me to be is in leadership roles. My favorite job in the VTCC was as the Executive Officer for the Regimental Band. As XO, I was directly in charge of training for all the cadets in my company. I had freedom to think and work creatively and independently. I was in a position where I could affect change on a large scale and lead. I have several friends who are nurses and I have researched nursing as a potential career. In my view, it does not grant a person the freedom to enact change and creatively problem solve. Furthermore, until you get some seniority and rise to management positions, nursing does not allow you much space to be a leader. I knew I would never be satisfied in a position like that.

This left me with med school. As I began researching the requirements and the responsibilities of med school and working as an MD, I began to question if it was even going to be an option for me. In addition to needing several more years of undergraduate prerequisite classes for application, I was going to need 4 years of medical school, and 2-10 years of residency. Between the time commitment, and the financial commitment, I was doubtful that I could make that work. Then, I learned about PA school.

PA’s were something I had heard of, but knew relatively little about. After researching it more and doing some shadowing in the ER, I began to realize that becoming a PA may be exactly what I was looking for. You can work in any specialty and field, you work largely independently and are in charge of patient care decisions, and you do not have to go to school for another 10 years to get there. Most importantly, you spend less time “on call” and can spend more time with your family. That is something that is very important to me. I want to be a father, not just in the biological sense, but in the emotional sense and the physical sense too. I will go above and beyond in my work, but, at the end of the day, I need to come home and be with my family. The only reason I see to look at MD over PA is the pursuit of money, and I have chosen not to chase money. As a PA, I will get to work in a field that I love, do what I enjoy, and come home to my family at the end of the day. What more could I ask for?

Yellow-tinged eyes peered weakly up at me. I met their gaze and tried to make my own appear reassuring, even while my mind raced through the list of devastating diagnoses the patient had just received, perhaps partially a result of having zero access to healthcare for the past 30 years—the man had no health insurance. I opened my mouth to speak to him, then remembered I would need an interpreter, as the patient could not understand a word of English. With a complicated psychosocial history which led to alcoholic cirrhosis, the feeble man before me was now severely jaundiced, had ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, recently diagnosed colon cancer, and now, due to a complication during a colonoscopy, a bowel perforation. I knew my role as I had been trained: “to advocate for this man—my patient—and to carry out the providers’ orders with as much compassion and care as I could.”
My path to physician assistant (PA) school has not been a direct one. My degree in community health, my first job as an orthopedic medical assistant taking X-rays, and the past four years as a registered nurse (RN) have each been a turn in my course, providing experience and greater perspective into where I want to be. My experience with this patient solidified something for me that had been crystallizing for a while.
My patient began receiving multiple transfusions after we found he had critically low hemoglobin. After several days, it was apparent that he was not improving. If anything, he was declining—the transfusions were having no effect. As the providers made their rounds, no action was being taken. After speaking at length with the concerned family through an interpreter, I was determined to get some answers.
The various providers overseeing the patient did not agree on a course of action forward, and I felt like my hands were tied. I made phone call after phone call to each of the providers, offering suggestions and requesting a call to action. Again, I knew my role: “to advocate for my patient, and to carry out the providers’ orders with as much compassion and care as I could”—both things I had fervently done. But I also knew this was all I could do. It was painfully clear to me in this moment that I could take no further part in deciding a course of action for my patient. I left work that day intensely troubled, knowing there was nothing more I could have done for my patient that I had not already done. I thought of my role as a nurse on his care team, and knew I wanted something more. I wanted to be like the PA who provided the medical knowledge, compassionate presence, and the time to sit down with the patient’s family and carefully explain the situation, while also having the insight, advocacy power, and influential communication with the physicians.
The next day I learned that my patient had been rushed into emergency surgery the previous night to stop an arterial bleed. Thankfully, after a couple of weeks and a short stay in the intensive care unit, he was released from the hospital. While I am relieved and grateful that my patient recovered from this dire situation, this experience is one of many that has further confirmed to me the desire to become a PA. As a bedside nurse, I often play the intermediary between physicians and other disciplines within my patients’ network of caregivers. But I also know my influence can only go as far as advocating for my patients. After that, it is up to the providers.
What has become clear to me is that, most of all, I aspire to provide the compassion, concern, and accessibility to my patients that my training as a nurse has instilled within me. However, I wish to be armed with a greater depth of knowledge and ability to better answer patient questions and concerns, with a higher degree of autonomy and advocacy power to ensure the best patient care I can provide. The role of a physician assistant fills this desire for me, and I would feel honored for the opportunity to study hard and work as one someday.

Hello! First time applicant, would appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

A career in healthcare is something I always wanted but did not always have the confidence and courage to pursue. The chance at becoming a health care provider was a way for me to make a difference in society, a way to give back to my community, and a way to continually grow as a person.
I entered college a young woman unsure of who she was with a great amount of self- doubt and a feeling that I was not good enough. My last year of high school, I was outed to my parents as bi-sexual and their ensuing reaction caused me a great amount of internal turmoil. My own struggles with self- confidence and doubt nearly cost me the opportunity to pursue a career in the medical field. I spent my college years searching for something I felt worthy of doing and dealt with the adversity I had faced to become a stronger woman. My GPA increase throughout my college tenure is a direct reflection of the confidence I gained in myself and the sense of stability I found once I transferred to the University of Arizona. Ultimately, I graduated with a degree in Communication and went to work for a medical device company, Olympus, gravitating back towards the medical field.
During my time with Olympus, I developed a stronger belief in myself and affirmed my desire to pursue a career in healthcare. As an On-Site Surgical Specialist for Olympus, working at the only level 1 trauma center in Arizona, I quickly learned the inner workings of a hospital and had the fortunate opportunity to observe and learn from some incredible surgeons and physician assistants. I spent time in between cases asking these healthcare professionals as many questions about the case as they would let me, in an effort to grasp any more insight into their world. The physician assistants I worked with were versatile, compassionate, and had the ability to spend more time with their patients than the doctors that worked with us; which ultimately confirmed my aspiration for a career as a physician assistant. Working in this fast-paced, ever-changing environment in the hospital taught me crucial skills and lessons that will prove invaluable as a physician assistant. Impeccable time management skills, handling high-stress situations calmly, maintaining integrity in a sometimes corrupting environment, and the ability to successfully function in these demanding situations after a night of taking “call” with little to no sleep are just a few examples of the environment I was exposed to, daily, for two years.
Around the time I decided to go back to school to complete the prerequisites I still needed for physician assistant school, my husband received military orders to Iwakuni, Japan for 3 years. With this move I faced some challenges in finding the classes necessary to complete my prerequisites. Fortunately, I was able to find a solution and continue on my unique path towards becoming a physician assistant. Classes like genetics, anatomy, microbiology and physiology all captured my attention unlike any other class had before. I found I enjoyed studying these subjects, had a passion for tutoring my fellow students, and could not get enough information to satisfy my desire to know more about the medical field.
While taking classes in Iwakuni, I wanted to find an opportunity to shadow a physician assistant to gain more insight into the medical world outside of surgery. I was fortunate enough to make a connection with a physician assistant that allowed me to shadow him. During my time observing PA Smith, I developed a respect and admiration for family practice. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home that did not struggle financially, therefore we lived in a community with access to incredible healthcare. From my time working at a Level 1 trauma center, I witnessed many cases of people who were not as fortunate to have lifelong access to good healthcare, often leading to delayed diagnoses in cancer among other diseases. My time shadowing PA Smith was especially interesting because I was given the unique opportunity to see people who came from rural backgrounds with little healthcare to the ubiquitous military healthcare system. Both of these experiences have stirred in me a desire to give back to underserved communities who have not been as fortunate as I.
Throughout my journey to becoming a physician assistant I have overcome self-doubt and hardships and become a stronger, more compassionate, motivated woman for it. I am ready for my next challenge and more confident than ever.

Wondering if my essay is engaging enough. Any feedback would be great!

When I was 8, I wanted to play in the NBA alongside Kobe Bryant. I used to run straight to the park every day and throw basketballs into the hoop until my arms felt like noodles. I loved school, especially my math and science classes. But I was also a student of the game of basketball, studying the resiliency and courage of its greatest players. It wasn’t long before I moved on to start middle school, and the boys on the court were suddenly much bigger and taller than I was. Realizing that a scrawny little girl wouldn’t have a chance in the NBA as I’d always dreamed, I began searching other avenues where I’d have a fighting chance to succeed.
Once I got to high school, I felt that the pressure was on to find something I was truly passionate about. I elected to take an anatomy and physiology course during my junior year and it quickly became the main reason why I maintained perfect attendance. I was undeniably confident in memorizing the names and locations of the bones, muscles, and organ systems of the human body. Understanding that every microscopic cell has its place in order for the body to function properly reminded me of what it took to excel and win on the basketball court: chemistry, fluidity, and strength.
About halfway through the course, I was given the opportunity to dissect a bullfrog and compare its anatomy to that of the human makeup. Mastering the pathway of the flow of blood through the heart and the process of air exchange through the lungs continued to amplify my enthusiasm. From that day on, I was hooked; I graduated high school knowing I would pursue a career in medicine.
My education and experiences at St. John’s University ultimately sparked my interest in becoming a physician assistant. My love for the sciences remained firm as I excelled in my biology, health science, and chemistry classes despite a few struggles and course retakes along the way. I found that trying to balance 2 jobs, volunteer work, and my classes was certainly easier said than done. Nonetheless, I remained focused and mastered essential life lessons in maturity, perseverance, and time management. I ultimately decided to major in psychology where I studied topics in the physiological and abnormal sections of the social science, prompting me to think in ways I never had before. I could feel my internal engine roar as I absorbed information on the functions of the human body in tandem with mental and behavioral health. I found that I loved the challenge in considering new approaches for the treatment of physical and mental ailments by manipulating variables and incorporating hands-on experimental research. Combining my studies and interests revealed a sense of versatility similar to that of physician assistants, who have unlimited opportunities to carry their acquired skills and knowledge from one specialty to another. Just like on the basketball court, my studies allowed me to break down defenses and roadblocks to attain winning solutions; a fierce mentality that patients and other providers require of their physician assistants.
A busy Level II trauma center in New York City was where I met the Michael Jordan’s and Lisa Leslie’s of emergency medicine. I was afforded the opportunity to work alongside physician assistants as a medical scribe–documenting elements of patients’ encounters and receiving first-hand insight to the diagnoses, management, and treatment of disease. In one particular case on a bustling night in the ED, I remember scurrying behind the PA as he entered a room to evaluate a young softball star who suffered a gruesome knee injury. Calmly yet promptly, the PA made sure the patient’s vitals were stable and carefully examined the patient’s knee while simultaneously dictating his findings. I recorded every detail, typing away at lightning speed. The PA reassured the patient and her family, answered their many questions, and informed them of his treatment plan. After a series of imaging studies, the softball star was back on her feet with the help of a knee immobilizer and crutches, eager to begin the road to recovery. My admiration for the PA profession was at an all time high.
From my own experiences as an ER scribe and my current role as an ophthalmology technician, I’ve been afforded invaluable moments with patients just like the softball star that have solidified my choice to become a PA. There is no greater reward in life than to see a person’s face light up because you’re willing to understand, empathize, and fight for them, even if you may not fully grasp what they’ve been through. My ultimate goal is to remain a lifelong learner in medicine while educating, continuing to adapt to an ever-changing field, and providing exhaustive care for each patient I encounter. I am confident that my patients can count on me to shoot as high as I can and make the winning play for their overall wellbeing as they strive for an exceptional quality of life.

Would Love any input from anyone that has experience with Personal Statements. I am 150 characters over the limit and need to figure out where to cut. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I sat in the exam room, my mind a jumbled mess of what I was going to tell the doctor, how I would say it, and fears about what he might think or how he would respond. Brett Blaser DO, entered the room with a bright welcoming smile. He sat and asked me about why I came to see him. I was a new to his clinic and this was our first interaction as patient and provider. Our conversation continued, and I felt a growing sense of comfort and trust because I could tell that he was listening to me. He took care never to interrupt, and to ask direct and specific questions about what I was telling him. His posture and body language indicated he was actively engaged and seeking to understand rather than just to hear. My deepest fears and secrets finally came spilling out, I was overweight, fighting a losing battle with addiction, and I needed help. I finished talking and Dr. Blaser smiled and excitedly told me that his specialty was weight loss and helping addicts recover.
This experience was by far one of the best I had ever had with a physician. He was actively engaged, focused on me, and was genuine with his enthusiasm of being my physician. Dr. Blaser set a phenomenal example by being genuine in his responses to my concerns and providing me with real solutions and plans to fix my medical concerns. My continued interactions with him have solidified in concrete my drive to be a PA and have given me a vision of exactly what kind of provider I want to be.
This confidence and surety are completely opposite of how I was feeling as a recent high school graduate. I was lacking direction for what degree I should pursue at a university, what career choice I should make, and in many ways what kind of person I wanted to be. I got good grades in high school, always maintaining a position on the honor roll, but my grades during my first semester at Southern Utah University reflect the position of uncertainty and lack of drive I was experiencing. While at school I got a job as a physical therapy aide. I loved this job because I got to work with people and develop new relationships, and have fun learning about the body to help facilitate recovery. It wasn’t until this point that I had ever considered a profession in the medical field, but my fascination with what the therapists were doing sparked my interest.
At this same time, I was also deciding on my religious commitment and if I was going to serve as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After weighing the pros and cons I made up my mind that I would serve. Being a missionary taught me important life skills like leadership, communication, how to study effectively and how to set and accomplish goals. I also realized that I loved helping people solve problems and knew that is what medical providers do. Upon returning home I was no longer uncertain about my future and knew that a career in medicine was where I could be the most successful.
I dove straight back into school and my grades reflected the confidence and skills I had developed over the previous 2 years. I married my wife in the spring, and to ensure a more stable financial position, I took that semester off school to focus on work. My father-in-law also just had a full knee replacement and I would to take him to and from his physical therapy appointments and shadow the PT during the sessions. I also spent time with the aides asking them what they were planning to pursue as a career and why. It was in one of these conversations that I was introduced to the PA profession. I was immediately drawn to this. I knew I would need clinical experience, so I left my retail management job and found a job as a phlebotomist. This led me to a clinical research position where I continued to do lab work, as well as work with the inpatient team.
I returned to school and continued to work full-time. I was captivated in my anatomy and physiology classes by how and why the body works, and what causes specific pathologies. I was eager to learn what fixed physiological issues. I continued to take courses that deepened my understanding of topics like pharmacology, emergency medical response, neuromuscular pathologies, and psychology. I sought opportunities to apply what I was learning and felt a growing responsibility to appropriately share what I knew so I sought a job as a medical assistant in a pediatric clinic. In this setting I get to apply my training and knowledge through taking vitals, administering oxygen, and giving medications as directed by the provider. I also get to shadow several PA’s and NP’s while they use their tools to diagnose things like ear infection or strep throat, and even while they do minor procedures like suturing lacerations or removing ingrown toenails. I am constantly reassured as I watch PA’s function in autonomous and authoritative ways. I also love to see how they compliment and integrate with a team of health care professionals. I know I can be a successful PA because of my fascination with medicine, my desire to serve people (especially in rural and underserved communities), and how well the profession matches my personality.

I am 40 characters over my limit and I am literally stumped. I can not figure out what to cut, and any input is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

“Oh yeah, we don’t mess with that one,” said my preceptor as she pushed me quickly past Louise’s room and onto the next. It was my first day as a CNA training in a memory care unit and Louise was a resident with Lewy body dementia. Every day, we brought each resident down to dinner one by one, except for Louise. One day before dinner, my curiosity got the best of me and I entered Louise’s room. As I had expected, this seemingly fragile woman greeted me with loud cursing and death threats. I tried this again every shift. It took almost two months before I could make it far enough into her room to sit down beside her on the bed. Even at this benchmark, there were days when I would find myself discouraged by her shouting at me as she dug her uncut nails into the skin of my arm. “Okay, I’ll come back to check on you in a little bit,” I would say. This was our routine until one day everything changed. She did not curse as I slid her shoes on, and when I asked her if she was hungry, she nodded her head to say yes. We cautiously walked to the dining room, hand in hand.

I have since left this facility, but I still visit Louise often. She regularly attends dinner now and will even participate in some activities. Louise showed me the importance of patience and the development of trust in patient care. Her progress was my first glimpse into the world of change one person can make.

While being a CNA has given me endless opportunities to make changes like these in the lives of others, it has never been the end goal. At a very young age, I was eager to understand the way the body and illness work. I was four years old when my little sister was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder affecting her immune system. Due to this disorder, she has essentially been “sick” for more of her life than she has been healthy. Growing up, I attended many of her doctor visits and always found myself in awe of the teamwork required to solve the puzzle that led to her care plan.

My sister’s illness was the spark that led me to pursue medicine, but it was not until college that I discovered what a PA was. I first leaned about the profession in a presentation during my first semester at Virginia Tech. There was something different about the way this presenter spoke of their experiences and their patients that drew me to research it further.

The versatility of a PA is what initially stood out during this research. When I picture the type of PA I would like to be, I do not see myself only pursuing one specialty. I would like to start out in primary care as part of a low-cost clinic. As a healthcare employee in Southwest Virginia, I have seen many patients struggle to get the care they need because it is out of reach either financially or geographically. Later on, I would like to pursue emergency medicine. This would give me the opportunity to always see and learn something new.

When I became a CNA to start gaining clinical experience, I had no clue how much I would enjoy this role. I have become a superb multitasker and fine-tuned my communication skills. I am now able to perform many basic scans and procedures as well as advocate for my patients in a way only a direct caregiver can. Perhaps most importantly, I have learned to function as a crucial part of the healthcare team. This path continues to teach me new things every day, but my healthcare journey has not all been so candid.

The summer before my third year of college, my dad suffered his second heart attack while helping me move. As my stepmother rushed him to the hospital, I listed in my mind all of the warning signs I should have noticed. When I arrived at the hospital, a team of seven healthcare providers surrounded my dad. At the head of all of them was a PA named Sara. I watched as she effortlessly directed each member of the team. Sadly, my dad did not survive. As the team cleaned him up for our other family members to come in, Sara sat down with me to explain exactly what they had done to try to save him as well as the possible causes of his heart attack. This experience reassured me of two things: I wanted to do exactly what Sara was doing and I would have to work even harder now to get there.

That year, I worked full-time between two jobs while maintaining my status as a full-time student. I had to learn how to prioritize and be responsible for my own survival. As a consequence, my grades suffered. This was discouraging to say the least, but I feel that I am equipped with much more than what those grades reflect.

Each challenge that I have endured has only motivated me to keep striving to do more. I will always appreciate my time as a CNA for the chances it has given me to continually learn and grow; however, there have been too many of situations in which I have not been able to provide more intensive care to my patients due to my lack of technical training. This highlights my need to obtain a higher level of education. I am confident that I am ready to take the next step in my journey to become a physician assistant.

For a large portion of my adolescence, my grandparents raised me. When I was 12, my grandmother developed cancer and I was introduced to the healthcare field. I accompanied her to a multitude of appointments over the course of five years. During these visits, I met nurses, physicians, technicians, and physician assistants. There were dozens of people that made an impact on my grandmother’s treatment. Her gratitude towards each team member instilled a desire for me to pursue a career helping others improve their lives through quality health care.

I knew I wanted to work in the healthcare field, but was unsure as to what specific career I wanted. Last year I became certified as a CNA and as a Phlebotomist. I enjoy my time working with patients and it has made me excited to further my education. I am fortunate to have my Father in Law as a role model. He is a PA for a neurosurgeon, and ultimately the reason I became interested in this career. He is passionate about being a PA and it is refreshing to see someone so fulfilled with their career. My father in law has worked with different underserved communities, which is something I am interested in doing as well. He worked for a clinic on a reservation for a few years, and provided healthcare for Native American families. The partnership between him and the doctor really intrigued me. I am inspired that PAs can help people in so many different ways by working side by side with different physicians. My road to PA school started here.

I mentioned before that my grandparents took part in raising me. They impacted me in so many positive ways, one being that they instilled a very strong work ethic within me. My grandfather has a large ranch that I worked on as a child. He showed me that working hard and investing in yourself is important. I worked full time from the day I turned 16 to present, and I continue to average 50 or more hours a week. In the beginning of my college education this forced me to take a lot of online classes, and I had to miss in-person lectures. I was unsure of what I wanted to accomplish with my education until my wife gave birth to our son two years ago. I knew then that I needed to put my shoulder to the yoke. I have since loaded my school schedule and worked hard to improve my grades. I took a lower paying job with fewer hours at the hospital, so I could fit more classes into my schedule. Working nights as a phlebotomist allowed me to go to every lecture. Albeit tired, I could take notes and meet with professors when I had questions.

Between work and school, I find time to benefit my community. The hospital I work for raises money every year with The Jubilee of Trees. My family and I work hard for months to contribute and raise money for the hospital. I also aid in the 13.1 mile nurses station for the St. George Marathon once a year. At the halfway mark of the marathon we aid the runners with anything they need from dressing wounds to wrapping ankles. I try to help out as much as I can. There are many more volunteer organizations that I contribute to. A couple more examples would be serving dinner at the Switchpoint Homeless Shelter, and shopping for Coins for Kids during the holidays. Giving back to my community has always meant a great deal to me and my family.

My time interacting with patients as well as members of my community is what really solidified my goal to become a PA. Being able to work closely with patients, and improve their level of care is what drives me. My goal is to positively impact patients in the same way my grandmothers medical staff did with our family.

Here is my first draft. I have 4219 characters. Thank you in advance for your help!

“It’s okay Dad; it’s just the dietitian.” Well, this certainly was not the enthusiastic introduction I was hoping for. It was my first week working in the coronary care unit of my beloved hospital. I had just been promoted after three years of being a level 1 Registered Dietitian and I was ecstatic to dive into the world of intensive care nutrition support. My face was new to the whole unit, but I was ready to make a statement. Countless hours were poured into mastering the high risk medications, practicing my opening lines to the veteran staff, and rehearsing my irritating questions for the intensivist on my first day in rounds. “I think bed 33 is stable enough to start enteral nutrition. Should I start that right away, doctor?” As I pulled back the curtain and introduced myself to a room full of concerned faces and wet, swollen eyes, I was greeted with the above statement. Yes, I was just the dietitian. But it was my first day in the ICU and I just received my first consult to start tube feeding on an intubated, sedated patient admitted for an exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis and a curveball of bronchitis. Don’t worry Brown family, I’m going to take care of your Mom today the best way I know how – through nutrition.

My path toward becoming a Registered Dietitian was all but straightforward. Growing up in a household of medical professionals, paired with my adolescent tendency to retaliate, caused me to wander into a degree that would make me a high school choir teacher. When I realized music could always be my passion but would not always make a lucrative career, I turned my gaze toward healthcare. As a freshman in college, I landed the office assistant job for a new company in town. What in the world is “intraoperative autotransfusion?” My childhood amusement with lengthy medical terms skyrocketed and before I knew it, I was in the operating room, processing the blood of a 66-year old male’s quadruple bypassed heart. My four years with Surgical Cell Services, though treasured, reminded me I don’t want to be just the girl in the corner collecting blood. Looking at the plaques in that man’s arteries forced me to shift my thinking – what if instead of just fixing the problem with surgery, we could prevent it altogether? From then on, I was determined to use food as medicine and heal patients through their stomachs.

Seven days of continuous nutrition support through a tube in her nose threaded down to her gut might not have been what healed Joan Brown. It was more than likely the decision to turn her into a prone position to help her lungs work better or increase the rate of sedation because of her labored breathing. But I was there through all of it. “Just the dietitian” held Tammy’s hand while her mother struggled through her spontaneous breathing trial. The lunch lady told Joan to “cough hard!” when the breathing tube came out. This RD hugged the family when she said her first word off the ventilator. At that moment, I knew I was supposed to be something much more than “just the dietitian.”

But why a PA? Probably because I have never met one I haven’t liked or admired. As a dietitian, I have been blessed with the time my patients sometimes need to just vent, laugh, confess, cry. I want to mirror the way my personal primary care PA, Kelsie, sits down, establishes eye contact with me and maintains a look of careful concern for as long as I need. I see myself being one of the patient, articulate physician assistants I have interacted with as a medical professional or who have been assigned to my or my family’s case at BSA Urgent Care. Returning to the operating room as the Surgeon’s trustworthy assistant instead of just the cell saver tech would be invaluable. I know my educational abilities, especially having gone through a Master’s program and extensive dietetic internship already. But it takes more than knowledge to heal people. My goals are to expand my already established understanding of medicine, combine it with my innate ability to love on everyone, add the extra bonus of precious time, and heal others through their stomachs, hearts and minds. This defines a physician assistant to me. This is what I want and know I can be for others.

I have been working on my personal statement for quite a bit now. I would really like to know your feedback and any suggestions to work on. Thank you.

A team of doctors, physician assistants (PAs), and nurses suddenly rushed into the hospital room across from me. They laid a baby that was unconscious on the stretcher and immediately began taking his vital signs. I rushed to the scene and the next words I remember being said to me were “Do you speak Spanish?” The PA I was shadowing suddenly asked me to translate, pointing out that he wanted to know what medication the baby had been given. The mother had given him the wrong medication, leaving her baby unconscious. He asked me to explain to the mother how the wrong medication would cause a drug interference. I could feel her anguish as she could not remember. In the midst of the chaos, it brought me back to a time when my mother and I were learning to speak English and no one was around to help translate. I felt a sense of responsibility towards the mother and her baby. The PA was not fazed by the stressful situation. He trusted in his ability to provide high-quality care. The level of professionalism he kept under pressure motivated me to remain calm and act quickly. I was inspired by his ability to overcome the language barrier. He guided me through the stressful situation and I collaboratively helped him in retrieving the information he needed to treat the patient.
I was convinced to become a physician assistant when I shadowed a PA in Neurosurgery. The strong work ethic that she had was truly admirable. The level of trust that she quickly built with families and patients showed me that empathy was universal. This was true specifically when she dealt with end-of-life care. The interactions the PA had with native English speakers were directly addressed while the PA in the ER required assistance to assess the problem.
I longed to talk to patients with such ease. Thus, I enrolled in a hospital internship abroad in Morocco. At first, the wide disparity between our languages made it difficult to communicate with the patients I encountered. However, every day I made it my mission to translate and analyze medical charts prior to consultations. I applied the same level of readiness as my aforementioned shadowing experience regardless of the language barrier. To my surprise, I successfully began understanding the physical examinations. Ultimately, I came to realize that my medical training and research was universally applicable towards patient care.
I have continued my education in the medical field by working as an ear, nose, and throat medical assistant. My responsibilities range from educating and informing patients about surgeries such as tonsillectomies and bilateral myringotomy tubes to discussing aftercare instructions for biopsy procedures. In addition, I also work as a pediatric medical assistant where I actively practice routine exams in a primary care setting. My valuable insight in both disciplines and my organizational skills have prepared me for the rigorous coursework ahead. My communication skills and my medical knowledge have taught me how to better inform patients about the risk factors and benefits of certain procedures and examinations. Each time, I make sure to be detailed-oriented, especially when I come across a patient that has trouble speaking and understanding English. I keep in mind the mother that was not be able to read and understand the medication or the instructions properly. Whenever a patient’s family member returns my call I immediately feel at ease because I know they will receive proper care.
The PAs that I have met have taught me a great deal about educating patients. My mission still remains intact. I want to allow every patient to express themselves regardless of the situation. I want to apply my language skills in retrieving necessary information directly. I have gradually refined my skills as I have adapted rapidly throughout my experiences. As a future PA, I will incorporate my universal background as a team member and leader to commit to quality care. My cultural competence growing up and learning about underserved communities locally and abroad have prepared me to provide patient-centered care and compassion.

Solid plastic radiates heat and it is what stands between my nephew and I. Tubes filled with oxygen are wired within his delicate nostrils to support his underdeveloped lungs. He is only slightly longer than my forearm. I have become an aunt two months too early. Suddenly I find myself mesmerized by his beauty as he lies undisturbed in a spaceship-like instrument, then my fascination was interrupted by pounding alarms. Something is wrong. I look to see that his bandaged hand has reached out to me, as if he was signaling me to help him. Medical personnel quickly come to his assistance as I stand there motionless, trying to understand what has happened. I simply wait, and the feeling of helplessness consumes me.
Colorful plastic hair rollers are placed diligently into a senior woman’s hair, they are excited that it was “spa day” in the nursing home. Residents often line up outside the salon within the hospital, anxiously waiting to feel young again. While I was performing my usual nursing assistant tasks I was quickly summoned into the shop. A woman had passed out and fallen out of her chair. She was not responsive but was breathing. I immediately called out to the nursing staff on the floor. Collectively, we placed her onto a wheelchair and transported her to a medical stretcher. I watched the nurses obtain vitals as I held the resident’s hand, I soon noticed that her pinkish tone began to diminish from her body. Emergency technicians soon arrived and thanked us for our assistance. I was forced to let go of her seemingly lifeless hand when she was wheeled away to the emergency room. I simply wait, and the feeling of helplessness consumes me.
Thin, crinkled plastic wrappers fill the streets of an intricate city accommodating people of contrasting cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. I am in South Africa. I step over the strewing litter at this distinctive location as I am preparing for another wellness screening with unfamiliar classmates. Bloodwork was being done in a room with a singular window that beams onto the patients. I am observing an HIV test. Multiple patients have come in previously and the procedure is uniform, as only a singular red line had been observed on the white apparatus to indicate negative results. However, when a seventeen-year-old girl undergoes the process, consistency is altered. Her eyes widened, she stares at me, as if she is waiting to hear what I will say. The provider says to her “What do you see?”, and the girl is slow to respond with “two lines”, the test is positive. I am then told to exit the testing room. I simply wait, and the feeling of helplessness consumes me.
Helplessness tends to override a person’s thoughts, they begin to think they are not enough, causing them to shrink away. However, these experiences of vulnerability have revealed to me the plasticity of my character. Plasticity is described as “the quality of being easily shaped or molded”. Each experience above contains details of a variety of plastics, which metaphorically contributed to molding me in various ways to form my ultimate desire in becoming a physician assistant. First, the incident with my nephew pulled me to a greater purpose of helping others, where I thought I would find as a certified nurse aide. Although, I still longed for more. I wanted to impact many types of individuals, including people in despair, thus I traveled to South Africa on a mission trip. However, each experience continued to contain similar forms of helplessness. It was not until I had the opportunity to shadow a physician assistant to realize that I can utilized my skills to accommodate patients and see its influence thoroughly.
The time spent in a small family practice alongside a PA revealed various traits of why this role appeals to me. The PA knows their limitations and are not hesitant to ask for help from the doctor on duty. They have mastered the skill of prioritizing and being of assistance when there is urgency. Also, they are team players, whether they are the ones giving directions or receiving directions. I soon realized there were correlations of these traits to my own characteristics developed by previous experiences. Ultimately, each characteristic and experience satisfied the final goal in serving the patient and doing what is best for them. This is what I aspire to be.
I want a career where I obtain the knowledge and skills where I am capable to be introduced to the problem, perform examinations to solidify it, create diagnostics, and see the impacts it has on a patient. Although, ultimately, I desire for the lifestyle of a physician assistant. I want to carry the same compassion they have towards every person they come into contact with, regardless if they are on the clock. Knowing that my knowledge will constantly be tested, and skills will further develop, I know that the feeling of helplessness will no longer consume me. As I believe that with this occupation I will create the greatest version of myself.

This is my first draft. I was wondering what y’all think and I know I’m over the 5000 character limit. Also, I feel like my conclusion could be stronger.

Heading to lakes and beaches, attending summer camps, going to concerts and planning out of state trips are usually what consists of someone‘s summer in high school. However, this was not the case for me seeing that my dad had wanted me to succeed him in a landscaping company he had worked for years. The first day began with me showing up to work not having the slightest clue how to use the machinery. I was fortunate my co-workers and boss had the patience that I needed in order to operate the equipment. We had arrived at the first house of the day and I can remember myself thinking that I didn’t want to get out because I didn’t know what I was doing nor did I have any experience mowing grass. But the moment came where I stepped out and began cutting grass. I quickly found out how easy it was to use the equipment and that I had found a skill I never knew I had. Unfortunately, the hardest part is being under the sun for numerous hours not knowing when the day was going to be over or what sort of long term effects working in landscaping would do. Through the struggles and long summer days in landscaping, I came to realize that this was not the life for me so I decided to pursue higher education.

A couple of semesters into college I attended a career fair. It was here in college that I found the desire to pursue a career in physician assistant studies because it reminded me of where my hard work and determination came from. Although different, a career in landscaping and as a physician assistant are similar to me because of the versatile responsibilities either one possesses. It was at this moment that I knew the choices I made were to uphold my duty of becoming a physician assistant in the future. Unfortunately, my GPA reflected the first couple of semesters into college, not knowing that these would play a vital role in pursuing my goal. Although not the most impressive grades, I believe my patient care experiences makes me a perfect candidate as a PA.

Years later from the first summer of doing landscaping I find myself working just as hard, only this time my time was being dedicated to the likes of shadowing a PA. While shadowing I was able to experience the role of a PA and their contributions to the healthcare team from assessing a care plan to performing surgery. Surgery is never an easy thing to go through, especially the older we get, but it was here where I was able to console with a patient upon receiving news she would need surgery for an ulnar nerve decompression. I could tell from her reaction that such comforting words went a long way for her and made the upcoming procedure far less intimidating. I understood that my role was limited, but with my compassion and empathy it certainly didn’t stop me from being able to interact with the patients. I continued to shadow in the clinic and afterwards decided to shadow in a hospital setting realizing that both work settings were completely different. I was fascinated at the idea a PA could do rounds in the morning and get called into surgery halfway through their day showing me that I was on the right path on selecting the perfect career for me.

Having worked as a nurse technician (NT) at Moses Cone hospital has been one of the greatest highlights in my route into becoming a PA. The beauty of working at the hospital comes from the wide range of patients that are admitted into our med/surg unit because it has given me the perspective that everyone truly is different. This made coming into work exciting and a challenge as every day, patients needed to be cared for differently than the last. I have carried this with me throughout my time working here especially when one morning I have a patient whose first language is Spanish. I could see by their face that all sorts of questions and mixed feelings arose at their first sight of staff entering the room. It was the same face that would run through my grandpa whenever he would get admitted for diabetic problems. I then knew that I had to be the bridge between the patient and the nurse in order to break the communication barrier. Something as simple as asking for pain medication seemed like an arduous task for the patient, however, I made sure the patient was able to communicate with staff in order to meet their needs. Although I was very helpful in making the patient feel interactive with us, there were times where I have felt helpless. Helpless in the sense that I wasn’t able to fully answer patients questions or concerns. Through years of classes and being exposed to the medical field I was able to provide some knowledge to patients whenever they asked about their blood pressure and glucose levels. At times too they would ask about their EKG results and I was able to brief them of what their results meant. However, when I didn’t have an answer I felt like my medical knowledge was limited. Following a career path as a PA would grant me the knowledge to better educate patients and grant them assurance of what may come next.

Almost a decade later I still continue to do landscaping, only now it isn’t done as frequently. My attention has been centered more towards the health and well being of others. Acceptance into a program would allow me to do this with a stronger focus, while hopefully being able to bridge any communication barriers there could be between the Spanish speaking community and English speaking.

“Mommy, I don’t ever want to die. I’m afraid.” These were the words I would say to my mother while lying awake at night after saying my prayers. “Don’t worry about that kind of stuff, Kayla,” my mother would say as she laid in bed and held me. Still to this day, my mother is who I call when my anxiety peaks. Not many things have helped to relieve my anxiety throughout my life besides my mother. Even medication provides little relief. Of course, some days are worse than others. As a child, I remember playing dress-up. I loved pretending to be a mommy to my dolls or a doctor to my “sick” brother or cousins. It was as if my anxiety didn’t exist as I was preoccupied caring for someone else. Now, I work in a hospital as a respiratory therapist. I still struggle with my anxiety on a daily basis. When I’m working and taking care of my patients, that feeling of impending doom tends to fade, as it once did when I was a child.

Mary was a patient of mine. She was struggling with several health issues including heart and respiratory failure. She was elderly and so loved by her family. There were several of them by her side every single day. At the time, I was working 8-hour shifts, 5 days a week. Every day I would come back to work and I was assigned to Mary’s floor. I was in and out of her room several times a shift due to her struggling to breathe. She had severe anxiety, as I do. A lot of patients do when they’re faced with everything they have to deal with in the hospital on top of their poor health. Despite how uncomfortable or anxious she was, she was always so kind to me. Every time I would go in her room to put her bipap mask on or check her bipap machine as it was running, she would place her hand on mine and give me this look that portrayed, “can you take this thing off my face yet?” Despite that, it was as if her anxiety would ease when I was in the room and talking to her. Fortunately, I was able to give her a break from the bipap at times, when her breathing could handle it. I grew close with her family in that short time span. They would light-heartedly joke when I came in the room saying, “you don’t ever leave this place, do you?” I would always joke back with them and go on about my duties. Mary declined rapidly in the couple of weeks I got to work with her. It eventually came to the decision of Mary being placed on hospice. A morphine drip was started, and I would check on her periodically, as would her nurse. I could tell the family was in pain, but fortunately the patient was no longer in any. I was in the patient’s room when she passed. The daughter came to me, hugged me and thanked me for everything I had done to make her mother’s time left here just a little more comfortable.

Losing a patient is a battle that we have to deal with constantly as health care providers. It’s certainly not easy but knowing that I was able to make Mary’s last couple of weeks here just a little more comfortable and possibly less painful than they would have been, truly gives a feeling like no other. I realize that if I were able to care for Mary as her PA, there’s so much more I could’ve done.

On behalf of Mary and several other patients who have touched my life in ways they couldn’t have known, I have been able to deal with my anxiety. I have worked in health care for almost 11 years now. I was a CNA before I became a respiratory therapist. I’m thankful for not only what I can do for the patient but what they do for me.

“Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.” To anyone reading this statement it may seem like another fact, a statistic they glance over or may even skip if they come across it in an article or textbook. As for myself, this statistic has come to mean more to me in the last two years than it ever has before.
My interest in medicine began when I was a patient as an eleven year old child. I underwent two major abdominal surgeries and spent many weeks in the hospital. I came to love observing the dynamics of the hospital and even went as far as asking my surgeon to show me the stones he had removed after my cholecystectomy. Perhaps my early interest in medicine was rooted in unearthing the mysteries of the human body. This passion drove my school and work ethic the rest of my life. However, things started to change as I entered my college years. After years of suffering with no treatment or tools to reduce and work through my anxiety symptoms, everything started to fall apart. I was actually accepted into a Physician Assistant B.S. degree program in college. I worked hard for two years, sacrificing my social life and other activities in order to pursue my passion for this career. However, I began to find myself struggling to find the energy and focus in my classes because I was consumed by my anxiety. Some of my grades leading up to my entrance in the didactic year of the program reflect that. I acknowledge those grades and take full responsibility for them, but I know that they do not reflect what I am capable of. In the fall of my didactic year at school I decided to take a medical leave. Taking a medical leave and then having to sit out of my spring semester was anything but ideal. I felt like everything I had worked for, all the effort I put into getting to that point, was for nothing. However, I took this time off to work on myself and learn new tools to help manage stress and other triggers of my anxiety. Taking time off allowed me to better understand how to cope and feel more like myself again. As my mental health improved, I pursued and obtained my EMT certification and slowly felt like I was gaining my confidence as a student back again. I returned to school in Fall 2018 ready and prepared for what was expected of me and I feel that this is reflected in the improvements in my grades for the 2018-2019 school year.

I have come to accept that this statistic is part of me and I am a part of it, but most importantly I have realized that it does not define me. I refuse to let it define who I am as a person and student. I also recognize that there is more to being a physician assistant than just facts and statistics. I am drawn to the career’s unique balance of humanism and science. To me, a physician assistant is someone who is responsible for advocating, educating, and caring for patients. As a physician assistant, I want to be able to help people use the health care system more efficiently and effectively. For one, I believe strongly that all populations need access to culturally appropriate programs and services. As our population becomes increasingly diverse and with our challenging economic healthcare situation, I feel like it is more important than ever to support improvements in the health and well-being of our underserved communities. I can see myself in the future being able to do just that using the physician assistant platform. I know that I can utilize this career to do more in terms of prevention and research and provide more in terms of patient advocacy.
Taking on the role of a physician assistant is something that involves a complex balance of many different personality traits. Some of which I know I have, others I know I will have the chance to obtain as I advance in this program. I have seen first hand, while shadowing at Advanced Dermatology, Dolce, and working as an EMT at Jones Beach, the necessary skills and traits needed in order to be an essential part of a healthcare team. While there, I was able to acknowledge the privilege and advantage of training under the medical model, a combination of classroom and clinical instruction. It is my hope that the next years of higher education will grant me the depth of experience, intelligence, and freedom to explore the full range of my interests. I believe this program, as well as this career, will enable me to create a life that is marked by fulfillment, accomplishment and discovery. I look forward to expanding the scope of my knowledge, diving further into this career path, and taking part in an experience that I am sure will influence and inform the rest of my life. A life that will not be solely defined by a statistic.

Hello! So this is a working first draft of my essay. I am just unsure if talking about my anxiety disorder is too personal or makes me sound like the wrong kind of student. I just want to know if I should continue persuing this direction otherwise I can change it…Any feedback would be great!

“Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.” To anyone reading this statement it may seem like another fact, a statistic they glance at or may even skip if they come across it in an article or textbook. As for myself, this statistic has come to mean more to me in the last two years than it ever has before.

My interest in medicine began when I was a patient as an eleven year old child. I underwent two major abdominal surgeries and spent many weeks in the hospital. I came to love observing the dynamics of the hospital and even went as far as asking my surgeon to show me the stones he had removed after my cholecystectomy. Perhaps my early interest in medicine was rooted in unearthing the mysteries of the human body. This passion drove my school and work ethic the rest of my life. However, things started to change as I entered my college years. After years of suffering with no treatment or tools to reduce and work through my anxiety symptoms, everything started to fall apart. I was actually accepted into a Physician Assistant B.S. degree program in college. I worked hard for two years, sacrificing my social life and other activities in order to pursue my passion for this career. However, I began to find myself struggling to find the energy and focus in my classes because I was consumed by my anxiety. Some of my grades leading up to my entrance in the didactic year of the program reflect that. I acknowledge those grades and take full responsibility for them, but I know that they do not reflect what I am capable of. In the fall of my didactic year at school I decided to take a medical leave. Taking a medical leave and then having to sit out of my spring semester was anything but ideal. I felt like everything I had worked for, all the effort I put into getting to that point, was for nothing. However, I took this time off to work on myself and learn new tools to help manage stress and other triggers of my anxiety. Taking time off allowed me to better understand how to cope and feel more like myself again. As my mental health improved, I pursued and obtained my EMT certification and slowly felt like I was gaining my confidence as a student back again. I returned to school in Fall 2018 ready and prepared for what was expected of me and I feel that this is reflected in the improvements in my grades for the 2018-2019 school year.

I have come to accept that this statistic is part of me and I am a part of it, but most importantly I have realized that it does not define me. I refuse to let it define who I am as a person and student. I also recognize that there is more to being a physician assistant than just facts and statistics. I am drawn to the career’s unique balance of humanism and science. To me, a physician assistant is someone who is responsible for advocating, educating, and caring for patients.
As a physician assistant, I want to be able to help people use the health care system more efficiently and effectively. For one, I believe strongly that all populations need access to culturally appropriate programs and services. As our population becomes increasingly diverse and with our challenging economic healthcare situation, I feel like it is more important than ever to support improvements in the health and well-being of our underserved communities. I can see myself in the future being able to do just that using the physician assistant platform. I know that I can utilize this career to do more in terms of prevention and research and provide more in terms of patient advocacy.
Taking on the role of a physician assistant is something that involves a complex balance of many different personality traits. Some of which I know I have, others I know I will have the chance to obtain as I advance in this program. I have seen first hand, while shadowing at Advanced Dermatology, Dolce, and working as an EMT at Jones Beach, the necessary skills and traits needed in order to be an essential part of a healthcare team. While there, I was able to acknowledge the privilege and advantage of training under the medical model, a combination of classroom and clinical instruction. It is my hope that the next years of higher education will grant me the depth of experience, intelligence, and freedom to explore the full range of my interests. I believe this program, as well as this career, will enable me to create a life that is marked by fulfillment, accomplishment and discovery. I look forward to expanding the scope of my knowledge, diving further into this career path, and taking part in an experience that I am sure will influence and inform the rest of my life. A life that will not be solely defined by a statistic.

I waited anxiously for the biting needlestick into my quivering arm. I buried my face in my father’s shirt, staining it with tears. Month after month the time for bloodwork for a possible kidney disease had returned, and so had my fear. But, this time, the gentle nurse soothed me, and before I knew it she had finished, easing my timidity and pain. That woman gave me intentional, compassionate care, and left me earnestly convinced that professionals were superheroes. Most importantly, I was convinced there was a place for me in the medical field.
While my career aspirations fluctuated throughout my life, with my young desire to be an ice-skating ballerina quickly progressing to teacher, lawyer, and architect, one idea remained constant. I wanted to fulfill one of the most basic desires of the human spirit. I wanted to help people, and a career in medicine had been a small seed in the back of my mind, slowly starting to grow. In high school, I became a member of my school’s Academy for Science and Health Professions, where I took classes focused specifically on health sciences, specialties within the medical field, and legal responsibilities, and even participated in rotations to clinics and hospitals to gain a unique insight into healthcare. As a sophomore, I became a member of HOSA- Future Health Professionals. My friends and I formed a team for the HOSA Bowl, a quiz-bowl competition in which we were responsible for knowing HOSA history, medical ethics, and my personal favorite, human anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology. It was like a lightning bolt: from then on, I was absolutely enthralled by the medical field. The seed had sprouted, and I knew without a doubt this was where I could make a difference.
Until later in high school, my understanding of the PA profession was limited and ill-informed. People around me would discuss going to their doctor’s office and being given the option to meet with a PA, and most described turning it down because they wanted to meet with a “real professional”. However, during an internship at a family practice clinic, I was able to shadow both doctors and PAs and see for the first time not only the medical intelligence and aptitude for treating patients possessed by a PA, but also their ability to spend time with patients, gain a better understanding of their needs and form rapport that fostered healthy, trusting patient-provider relationships and effective care. I was fascinated by the opportunity to give the best of my time and efforts to patients and began to shift my focus to becoming a PA. In my later time shadowing PAs, I was able to discuss with those I shadowed about the rigor of their training and why they loved their career, as well as seeing a variety of daily activities and patient interactions that thoroughly convinced me this was the right path for me.
While high school experiences were the catalyst for my aspirations to work as a PA, my understanding of the purpose of healthcare and the many roles filled by its providers grew exponentially through the healthcare experience I gained in college. I believed that I wanted to work in the field of family medicine and getting to spend several weeks shadowing a family practice PA allowed me to better understand the vast scope of practice of this field. From observing routine examinations and medicine refills to even assisting in minor procedures, my eyes were widened to what PAs do. My time as a medical assistant in the same clinic allowed me to interact with patients constantly, learning how to be both professional and friendly, making them feel comfortable and assuring them their needs were important. I learned not simply to see patients as a vitals chart or a chief complaint, but rather to take a human, personal approach, caring for others as I would wish to be cared for. This lesson became paramount when I worked as a caregiver in an Alzheimer’s care home. Being responsible for helping our residents with basic activities of daily living- eating, showering, and using the restroom- was a powerful reminder of the role of anyone who provides care in providing dignity to those they help. Although a very challenging job for me, it inspired me to become a dedicated and compassionate healthcare provider.
Just as a desire and a drive to help others have been integral in my decision to be a PA, I believe these same qualities are at the heart of why I will be excellent and effective in this career. Through my experiences, I have gained compassion and patience that will allow me to understand the needs of a patient and show them they are deserving of dignity and proper care which intentional and passionate healthcare providers can give. The rigor of my academic endeavors has given me the determination to excel in learning and studying to become a stellar PA, and the challenges presented by my job as a caregiver have instilled in me the fortitude to overcome the challenges that a PA program and my future practice would present. Furthermore, as an undergraduate student, I have learned the skill of contributing to a team and working for the good of others. My time in band and various social and academic clubs has taught me how to work with others toward a common goal. The best semesters of my university experience have been those in which I learned the true value of being a better person and a better to friend to all around me, and those are lessons which I believe will serve me well in the medical field as I seek to serve those in need.
I have come a long way from that frightened girl in the hospital. From a passion for helping people to knowledge about the medical field and experience in providing care and dignity, I believe I am as equipped to handle the challenges of becoming a PA as I am eager. The small seed that took root long ago has blossomed into the ardor to pursue this career I have grown to love; to be knowledgeable, to be caring, to be a physician assistant.

It was sweltering and ardently hot. Even when the minimal clouds swept momentarily across the blistering Ghanaian sun, the humidity made its presence known, allowing my scrubs to adhere to my clammy skin. Children, some wearing worn clothing or without shoes, frolicked and played freely around the crowded line that, even before our physicians and nurses began triaging patients, quickly extended far past the entrance to our makeshift clinic. We used an empty structure in this rural village located several hours outside of Accra, Ghana, to generate a four-day clinic sponsored by Global Medical Brigades, throughout which, our purpose was to provide medical services and health education. I witnessed team-based care, with each “arm” of the clinic working collectively and with modest resources to provide care to as many community members as possible.

While assigned to triage, I eagerly took vitals and acquired a brief medical complaint, with the support of local translators, enthusiastically engaging in my first real experience working hand-in-hand with patients. I promptly realized the majority of our patients were women. Many of these women shared a similar story – they complained of fevers, occurring in a cyclical pattern, along with nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. It became clear that malaria was a prevalent issue within this community. But what reared its ugly head as the larger, overarching issue was lack of access. The doctor whom I worked closely with the following day confided in us that while many of these women had legitimate complaints of malaria symptoms in either themselves or their children, some of whom exaggerated the truth; their families did not have malaria yet. But they were familiar with malaria plaguing their community and desired anti-malarial medications for the inevitable. These women had to advocate for their family’s health and well-being, even if it meant stretching the truth.

As the daughter of a single Black woman, I grew up with a close understanding of limited resources and a mentality of “do what you gotta do,” as my mother would say. When I remember my childhood, I recall my mother as strong, fierce and loving. She would never hesitate to do what she thought was best for her children. While not completely understanding how our U.S. healthcare system operates or how insurance works, she never hesitated to take us to see a healthcare provider. When I struggled with migraines and bouts of depression, she was there alongside me at appointments. Often times, this meant trying to finagle a way around the co-pays and hospital fees. Throughout my upbringing, she emphasized the importance of advocating for health and the importance of taking care of yourself by any means possible.

Empowering those who are underserved or underrepresented has been innate. Coupled with an undergraduate education in public health science, I have sought opportunities to reach underserved populations and empower at-risk groups to improve their health status. During my year-long fellowship with Stanford Medicine, I was able to conduct research with my peers, and my research focused on demonstrating the level of contraceptive access and the ability for women to obtain birth control from pharmacists “over-the-counter.” Many women, myself included, are not aware of our healthcare options, especially when they are underinsured. As healthcare providers, we have the privilege to educate patients and effectively provide preventative and treatment options, while taking into consideration their circumstances. It is crucial to focus on preventative healthcare, along with increasing access to treatments. It is essential to provide health information to our patients.

While attending this fellowship, I not only conducted research and served as a medical scribe for several physicians mostly in internal medicine, but I shadowed physician assistant, Kendra. While I studied her concise, detailed note-taking methodology, I noted her interactions with her patients. When the remote translation service failed to connect to the desktop computer in the exam room, Kendra patiently spoke to an elderly Hispanic woman in as much Spanish as she could. She communicated kindly and while the translator eventually tuned in to this visit, she did not overwhelm her with medical jargon that may be perceived as confusing. Not only did she spend time discussing her diabetes disease pathology, but also educated her on lifestyle measures and counseled on preventative care. With several other patient visits that I accompanied Kendra, I witnessed the collaborative atmosphere between her and other physicians. When she desired clarification or endorsement of a course of treatment for a patient, there was teamwork evident. Providing exceptional care for patients happens when providers work together.

The beginnings of the physician assistant profession stem from the need to provide primary care to underserved populations. In order to serve our patients best, it is of utmost importance to understand their circumstances, address health disparities that exist, and combine efforts to work collaboratively with other clinicians. My aspirations to become a physician assistant has been impacted profoundly by these women who have taken ownership of their health, despite barriers present in their lives. As a physician assistant, I want to dedicate my career to vigorously fighting injustices, advocating for health equity, and offering cultural sensitivity as a minority in the medical field, not only for women of color, but other underserved and marginalized groups. Every person, regardless of their socioeconomic status, is deserving of exceptional, patient-centered healthcare.

It was a calm, sunny, July afternoon when suddenly, a loud commotion came from the front of the office. Several nurses and the Physician Assistant immediately jumped into action, where they found a middle aged man in the parking lot. He was stuck in front seat of his pick-up truck, suffering anaphylaxis from several life-threatening bee stings. With the swift thinking of the PA, he was stabilized until EMS could arrive and transport him to the hospital. Although it was only my second week working as a medical scribe, my passion for emergency medicine skyrocketed and it was then that I knew I was made for this profession. My adrenaline and curiosity were fueled as I watched the PA communicate with her team through an intense situation.

Prior to working as a scribe, I was exposed to various career paths in the medical field. My mother, who was a registered nurse during my childhood and recently became a nurse practitioner, was the first person who drew my attention to healthcare. She introduced me to many healthcare professionals, and I eventually began shadowing physicians to gain exposure to different specialties. Throughout my teenage years I was always the “science nerd”, but I was ok with that because science was something I found intriguing and I constantly wanted to learn more. When I got to college I loaded up with rigorous science courses in hopes to graduate a year early; however, things quickly took a turn for the worse. I wasn’t myself, avoiding homework, not studying, and often partying or hanging out with friends. My grades were suffering and my family noticed a change, but I was too carefree to listen to anyone. It wasn’t until my junior year, as I began doing more research about professional school, that I realized I had made a huge mistake. I knew my subpar grades weren’t good enough, so I decided to take a year off and focus on myself. This is when I applied to be a scribe and my life changed forever.

After two years of scribing, I decided that I was going to take the next steps to become a PA. Since I hadn’t considered the profession before, I was missing several pre-requisite courses. I packed up, moved to Charlotte, NC and returned to school. During my post-baccalaureate education, I realized all of the mistakes I made as a young, naïve college student and proved to myself that I do have what it takes to maintain a 4.0 while taking several hard courses.

Looking back today, I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to work alongside many amazing PA’s. Without that healthcare exposure, I am sure I would not be writing this essay today. During this experience, I developed lifelong relationships with many admirable PA’s and it’s hard to choose just one that changed my life, as they each had a significant impact in my decision to pursue this profession. There was not a single day I would go to work and not learn something new thanks to the outstanding PA’s. Aside from their busy work schedules, they all took the time to become my teacher, mentor, and friend. Whether it was showing me how to suture or interpret X-rays, or advice regarding my application and interview, I could always count on them without hesitation. This compassion is one of the main factors that has drawn me to the profession even more. While I had the chance to meet many MD’s, DO’s, PA’s, and NP’s; it was always the PA’s who went above and beyond to help me. They showed me that the PA profession is full of empathic, hard-working, team players; which are all skills that I know I possess. I spent 10 years of my childhood as an athlete, making teamwork a characteristic I grew up demonstrating. As a church and healthcare volunteer working with the underprivileged, empathy is something I show on a regular basis. During many of my jobs I have been promoted to a leader or trainer, making communication one of my most important attributes.

To me, becoming a Physician Assistant is a career that will highlight many of my best qualities. I will have a challenging job that demonstrates my ability to think quickly and rationally, while exhibiting problem solving skills and communicating with a team. Becoming a PA means that I would fulfill my lifelong desire to work in healthcare, while having a job that is flexible and allows me the freedom to choose among specialties. It means that I will have a high stress job, but one that is very satisfying and rewarding. As a physician assistant, I will incur less debt and have a better work life balance, which is important to me as I plan to start a family after graduating. With my ability to be compassionate and communicate effectively, I know I will be able to relate to patients and excel in the PA profession. My dedication to patient satisfaction will go above and beyond, as I have already been taught by many exceptional PA’s.

I have re-written this thing maybe a thousand times. I would appreciate any help you provide! THANK YOU!!

I was shaken awake. “Justin! I think she’s gone.” The first memories I have of that moment are the rain pelting the window and the gentle breeze of the fan brushing against my skin. The clock read 3:45 am. I saw my brother’s face as he stared at me with impuissance. When I finally came to, I looked over and there she was, laying next to me motionless. Her skin was unusually cold and clammy. I sat up, grasped her stiff hand and gently kissed where her veins protruded as if not to hurt her. The cancer had finally won. Full of emotion, my brother pleaded that I bring her back. Though I am the youngest, I had to carry the weight for the both of us. I was prepared, though. My entire life, I watched this beautifully selfless woman navigate the world alone. Now it was my turn. I gave myself a few minutes to gather my thoughts and told myself, “It begins now; the first day of the rest of your life. Nothing will be the same.” I was right. In a split second, my life changed forever.

I have always had a curiosity for sciences, but also found a creative outlet in music. Growing up, I was both academically and musically motivated. Wanting to explore all of my interests in college, I initially began as a biology/music double major not entirely sure of my direction. After winning a seat as one of the youngest members of the regional orchestra, I was encouraged to pursue my musical talents in a more serious manner. Ambivalently, I ended up setting down my health interests for the viola. I pursued music through the rest of my bachelor’s career and went on to get a master’s degree. I had my entire life planned. That was until my mom called with that fearful phrase, “Honey, I’m sick.” I had no other option but to leave school to care of her. Whether assisting with bathing and hygiene, changing dressings, draining fluid from her lungs, or providing comfort in the hospital or at home with hospice, I learned not only what it meant to be a caretaker but also how to give back to something greater than myself. Instilled in me was the passion to provide for others, new meaning for my life, and, as much as I hated what cancer was doing to my mother, new fascination of the disease.

After a tremendous fight, she passed and I returned to Chicago to finish school. Struggling to get back into it, I was no longer as focused on music. I needed more. After graduating, I obtained a position with a consulting firm, which provided more stability. I did well but still questioned my direction as I was losing that meaningful perspective I cherished. Even though I knew it would be a long road, I finally made the decision to uproot and pursue healthcare. Hope restored and suddenly the dark clouds of uncertainty parted setting fire to the rain!

I currently work as a Patient Care Technician throughout three hospitals. I have experience in various specialties and work with diverse populations. Though it can be intense, each moment teaches me more about humanity. I have had patients die in my arms and have brought individuals back to life. A specific moment I will always remember was with a patient suffering from end stage cirrhosis. As I was getting her bathed, I turned her to her side and she began making a gurgling sound. I quickly called for help frantic that she was choking. Several nurses answered the call confirming that this was part of the process. She had specific advanced directives so there was not much I could do but hold her as she took last breath in my arms. Not even a minute after, her husband entered the room and, adrenaline flowing; I had to switch off my own shock to comfort him. He hugged me and through his tears, he thanked me for being there for her. This moment added fuel to my fire birthing an intense desire to provide an even higher level of care for my patients.

I have had the privilege of working alongside all types of providers but it was a physician assistant who left the greatest impression on me solidifying my interest in the profession. He took exquisite care of each patient showing patience and empathy that I believe are foundations to building a solid patient-provider relationship. He was incredibly versatile and had a ton of knowledge answering each question with precision and understanding. When asked about his experiences, he spoke highly of the flexibility and multifaceted nature of being a PA and how he gets to treat and diagnose a variety of illnesses. All of his experiences in different specialties have made him a stronger, more well rounded and sought after healthcare provider; one I hope to emulate.

Ultimately, being a PA would be the best of all worlds. I would get to expand my knowledge on, diagnose, and treat disease states, continue to impact patient lives through compassionate one-on-one care all the while fulfilling my need to give back to my community. No matter what, I believe my experiences, drive, and motivation for the care of people in my community would make me a fantastic physician assistant.

Throughout college, I spent much of my free time researching careers to find which fit me in the best possible way. I explored nursing, physical therapy, and medical school, among endless others, but something kept drawing me back to the PA profession. I wanted a career where I could use my collaborative athlete mentality to serve others while still being afforded autonomy; One where I could create long lasting relationships at work while still having time to spend with my own family. For me, a career as a PA fulfilled all my desires in both a career and a lifestyle. My experiences bring me closer each day to becoming the person I want to be: a student committed to lifelong learning, a medical provider who aspires to treat every patient like family, and an athlete who views each new day as an opportunity to pursue personal amelioration. If accepted into your program, I plan to dedicate myself to staying true to these values, ever cherishing the opportunity to serve others through medicine as a PA- fulfilling my life’s true purpose.

I was eight years old when I fell in love. I vividly remember my dad nicknaming me killer, which for the age seemed inappropriate but fitting, as I sprinted down the field faster than any kid my age. I played soccer at a local park and was recruited to several club teams; I even played college ball where I learned intense discipline and assigned myself the hard-pressed standard of being a lifelong athlete, doing whatever it took to support my team. Only a few games into my first college season I tore my ACL and was introduced into the multifaceted medical world. I abruptly lost the first love of my life but feel it was no coincidence that it brought me to my second: a passion for medicine and patient care. I set out on a new journey, shadowing, volunteering, and working with various medical providers until I discovered that a career as a physician assistant (PA) was my calling. Becoming a PA would fill the longing in my heart to once again be part of a team that would become like family, one that I could rely on and work collaboratively with like I did those warm sunny days on the soccer field.
I was the first in my family to go to college. My father dropped out of high school to work for his dad in construction and my mother had mental and physical illnesses that prevented her from being able to keep a job or attend college. Despite their loving efforts, my family didn’t have the tools necessary to help me through the college process, let alone guide me in discovering my passion for science. With little counsel, I enrolled myself in college and chose to major in psychology because it interested me. It wasn’t until my junior year, after surgery and months of physical therapy, when I discovered a deep fascination with the hard sciences. Discovering the flexible lateral mobility that a career as a PA possessed matched well with my breadth of interests in science and medicine. This sparked in me a longing to know more, so I began pursuing various ways of learning about the medical field. Quickly this became my new sport: competing to improve my exam scores, pushing myself to seek out shadowing opportunities, and testing my limits by working two jobs to gather direct patient care experience while still being able to support myself. I always knew that nothing mattered more to me in a career than happiness in doing it; I knew I had struck gold when, despite my exhaustion, I woke up each day excited to take another step in the direction towards my dream career as a PA.
While working as a physical therapy aide, I became friends with a patient whom would change my view towards patient care forever. When Jeff would come in, my coworkers would groan, commenting that he was rude and would never cooperate. Jeff reminded me of my own father, as he seemed cold but misunderstood, so I decided to try to get to know him and give the highest level of care regardless of how he acted towards me. With time, Jeff began to open up to me. He told me his only brother, his best friend, was killed in a car accident several years ago, and his parents ended up passing away not too long after. He expressed that he had no friends or family, and suffered from a psychological illness that made him nauseated all the time, frustrating him for most of his waking hours. Jeff gave me a piece of advice I will never forget: cherish the time you have with the ones you love because in an instant, they could be gone forever. Jeff thanked me for being someone he looked forward to seeing every week. Since this interaction, I vowed to dedicate myself to giving the absolute best care to everyone that crosses my path, advocating for those who may not be able to for themselves. As a PA I would have the ability to bridge the gap in quality patient treatment and care, while still affording myself flexibility to spend time with my own loved ones.
Throughout college, I spent much of my free time researching careers to find which fit me in the best possible way. I explored nursing, physical therapy, and medical school, among endless others, but something kept drawing me back to the PA profession. I wanted a career where I could use my collaborative athlete mentality to serve others while still being afforded autonomy; One where I could create long lasting relationships at work while still having time to spend with my own family. For me, a career as a PA fulfilled all my desires in both a career and a lifestyle. My experiences bring me closer each day to becoming the person I want to be: a student committed to lifelong learning, a medical provider who aspires to treat every patient like family, and an athlete who views each new day as an opportunity to pursue personal amelioration. If accepted into your program, I plan to dedicate myself to staying true to these values, ever cherishing the opportunity to serve others through medicine as a PA- fulfilling my life’s true purpose.

I can count with my hands the number of times I recall going to the doctor’s office when I was growing up. It was tucked away in the basement of a residential building a block away from my apartment. Once you were buzzed in, you descended the stairs into a cozy space with three employees: the lady who greeted you, the lady who stuck you with needles, and the doctor. And so I thought the healthcare field only consisted of those three jobs. As a first generation college student, my career choices were seemingly restricted because of my immigrant parents’ expectation of me practicing medicine and also because I had limited knowledge of other fields. In my three person healthcare career model, the doctor was the only person who I saw practicing medicine, so I went off to college wanting to become one.

Going from New York City to college was moving from one melting pot of diverse ethnicities to one of varying occupations, including those in the healthcare field. When I stumbled upon the Physician Assistant (PA) career in my sophomore year, I decided to do more research. I joined the pre-PA club and reached out to a practicing PA for a shadowing opportunity. While shadowing her in the ER, I noticed the independent yet collaborative abilities of a PA – how she was able to diagnose and make medical decisions yet also consult with doctors to formulate patients’ care plans. After that initial shadowing experience, I took an interest in the path and worked to develop skills that will help me succeed as a PA.

Throughout college, I was involved in various activities to enhance my teamwork skills. I was a vice president in my sorority, working with three other members to educate and empower my sisters to recruit members who fit our values and connecting with other recruitment chairs about best practices and new ideas. I was also co-president of the pre-PA club, working with the other co-president to manage the club, delegating tasks between us and communicating with all members. I educated other students about what the PA profession is and organized events such as a talk with an admissions director and a Q&A session with current students from my university’s PA program. Not only did I work with groups of people, I worked with groups of voices in an a cappella club too!

For my clinical experience, I obtained experience in different roles to gain skills that will help me succeed as a PA. The summer after my junior year, I was a Patient Care Nurse Assistant (PCNA) on an inpatient floor. At the beginning of every shift, I introduced myself to my patients and assured them that I would be taking care of them during that twelve-hour period. As a PCNA, I took vitals, conducted point of care testing, and helped patients with their activities of daily living. I reported abnormal findings to the nurses, working with them to ensure that the patients received the best care possible during their hospital stay. Although I was not capable of discussing clinical material with my patients, being a PCNA allowed me to cultivate my bedside manner, work in a healthcare team, and make a neat hospital bed corner.

Since graduation, I have been working as a medical scribe in a primary care clinic. As a scribe, I document histories and physical exams for all types of visits. Every morning, I review patients’ charts and gather pertinent clinical information to present to the care teams, involving the providers, medical assistants, nurse, and social worker. During visits, I observe provider-patient interactions and witness providers’ thought processes on medical decision making. Similarly to a PA, I discuss care plans with the doctor, raising any questions on why they made certain diagnoses and ordered specific tests. To finalize the note, I complete the billing, taking into account the complexity of the visit and what steps were taken to take care of the patient. This position has added onto the skills that I learned as a PCNA and reaffirmed the fact that I want to be able tod diagnose and practice under a medical model.

To ready myself for the PA path, I have gained different experiences and worked on my time management skills. My grades are subpar, and a big part of it was due to not being able to successfully delegate my time to challenging courses. During my gap year, I have worked on my time management skills – balancing a full time job, shadowing, and class – so that I will be ready for PA school and beyond. As mentioned, I shadowed PAs – in the ER, hematology department, and medical ICU. I continued to see the independent yet collaborative abilities, and their friendliness and patience as they educate patients on diagnoses and care plans. Through those qualities, I have seen more and more that I am suited and ready for this path. I am adaptable, resilient, and a teamplayer. Younger me thought the healthcare field only consisted of three people tucked away in a basement office, but I know now that it is a complex system of many different individuals, and I hope to be part of that system as a PA.

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